Dream Wife’s always created sound that could belong only to them, distinctly: slightly surprising punchy pauses and quickly run-through strings of syllables delivered with confidence and a curious melodic sensibility. This latest release, So When U Gonna… is still that, but with a little more sing-song and boppy pop mixed in. It’s signature Dream Wife, still punk and raw and honest, but tinged with this 90s girl band lens that makes it easier to stare at directly for new listeners.
Opening with “Sports!,” which feels like a perfect jittery, theatrical set opener to lust over live shows from a past life, and closing with “After The Rain,” a kind of ballad “fully exposed in so many ways,” it shows a breadth we haven’t quite seen until now.
This slight organic repositioning towards pop sensibility might have something to do with the album’s success in its first week or so. As of Tuesday, they had reached the top spot of the midweek UK charts, which, for a band of their size and makeup, is a giant deal. At the time of posting they are at the 8th slot.
As a band of women, and as a record produced by a woman (Marta Salogni, Bjork producer) with a completely non-male engineering team, they’d be adding diversity and representation to an otherwise male-dominated list, particularly when it comes to producers. They’re also the only band that’s not backed by a major label. This is the message they sent out to their followers on Instagram this Monday:
Our album is currently sitting in 8th place in the midweek UK charts…🤯which is amazing !! The ONLY band/musician in the top 20 that is not backed by a major label. The ONLY band/musician on that list who’s album was entirely produced by a womxn. (Btw that’s fucked up) Let alone had a whole team of womxn behind it.
We need a big push in sales to get into the official charts. It would be huge. Representation is important, so let’s change the game?
We’re incredibly proud of this album, the important topics we touched on & the music. It’s all about the music. Thankful for our team who’ve worked relentlessly w/ love on this album & the amazing response we’ve gotten from all of you & so grateful to everyone who bought a copy & supported us in any way on this journey.
Having a top 20 album isn’t just a number apparently. For a band like us & a band on a small indie label it would mean: More radio airplay, better slots & stages at festivals, getting booked to play festivals in general that often have a lack of diversity on them. It opens doors that often are closed for a band like us…
If you are planning on buying the album, if you’re planning on buying it as a Christmas present for your family or just wanna support the wives the time is now. We have until MIDNIGHT on THURSDAY.
Shall we get this album to the top 20, to support representation & diversity in the UK music scene ??
Link in bio to buy a vinyl or cd from our store. We hacked the prices on Apple Music & Bandcamp to a fiver as well.
During these recession times in the UK we also understand that not everyone is in a position to buy the album, thank you for the other support you’ve given us like sharing the album on socials, your favorite songs & spreading the word. Much love.
Alice, Bella & Rakel
Slashed prices in favor of more representation for women and non-binary people in the music industry paints a pretty solid picture of what Dream Wife is ultimately about. In “Validation,” Rakel sings, “We go to art openings / We fit in / Cuz nobody fits in / It’s a beautiful chaos to begin…” There’s always space that should be occupied with people that have been systemically deemed as not fit to fit in.
As the music industry struggles, as a larger revolution for equality roars on, as people around the world re-work their patterns of thought and hierarchy of needs, the significance of this can get lost – and understandably so. But inclusion of all sorts in the music industry is important, and this would be a step in the right direction. And don’t discount that the record absolutely bops.
You can also enter to win Alice’s heavily customized silver Burns marquee by ordering any version of the album from Rough Trade.
Follow Dream Wife on Instagram and Facebook, and stream wherever you do so.
